CAMBRIDGE. FOOTBALL MATCH—HAMILTON V. CAMBRIDGE. (From our Own Correspondent.)

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 378, 15 October 1874, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE. FOOTBALL MATCH— HAMILTON Y. CAMBRIDGE. (From our Own Correspondent.)

I made a point of being present at the above interesting match, which has been causing considerable excitement here. Tie challenge came from the Cambridge men and met with a prompt response from the Hamiltonians, though I fancy that the latter had they anticipated meeting such a very powerful opposing team would hardly have betrayed the eagerness which previous victory had engendered in their breasts. After all the preliminaries had been duly arranged bet-wßen the respective captains, at precisely twenty minutes to three o'clock the teams appeared stripped and ready for action upon the Government paddock opposite Laird's Hotel. When they had respectively taken ground previous to the " kick off," a short pause, caused by some further arrangements havjig to be made, gave me a change of comparing the two teams. The Cambridge men (mostly picked from the flower of the Armed Constabulary) were attired in knickerbockers with red hose and cap, aad as they stood "waiting for the start, I think I never saw a finer and more formidable set of men. Their opponents were dressed in every variety of costume, and looked veiy small and weak as compared with the youthful giants opposed to them. But even with this disadvantage, those who knew the pluck and activity of Cox, the strength and endurance of Barker, and the resolution of Pilling Brothers, did not despair of witnessing a grand encounter. The ball was at leugth set in motion, and the Cambridge team swept down upon their opponents with a rush that seemed as though they would sweep the little 'uns off the face of the ground. But twisting and dodging with wonderful quickness, the Hamiltonians slowly but surely drove the ball up to the enemy's touch line, and during the best part of half-an-hour kept it there. But the "Cantabs" were not to be beaten, and time was called for a change of ends without any material advantage having been gained by the Hamilton team. The second half-hour passed, and Hamilton having this time the wind and hill in their favour, still kept the ball in dangerous proximity to -the Cambridge goal. Indeed a splendid touch-down was obtained by E. Cox, which looked Veiy much like being turned into a goal, but by a stupid mull the Hamilton captain let the ball on the ground before A. Cox, who was chosen to kick it, was ready, and it was of course rushed by the Cambridge men, and a splendid opportunity lost. In the third half-hour the weight and strength and endurance of the Cantabs visibly began to tell, and they had considerably the best of the game. Mclntosh. the Cambridge captain, who throughout was indefatigable in his exertions for victory, secured a touch-down for his side, when curiously enough the same mistake .occurred to mar the try at goal as in the case of the Hamilton touch-down, and nothing came of it. Soon after this event, the rain began to fall very heavily, time was called to change goals, and a general movement was made' to get out of the pelting storm, play not being again resumed. I don'.t know, not being acquainted with the hearts of men, but I fancy the Hamiltonians were not sorry to cry quits and place themselves out of the way of those crushing charges made by some of the young giants, which sometimes bid fair to literally smash the small active frames of the little 'uns, and did not grumble at the rain as they might have done. The names of the men engaged are as follows : Cambridge — Messrs Mclruosh (captain), Day, Kelly, Forbes, Welchman, Cleary, Parker, Miller, Stubbing*, Mellor, Douglass, D, Gordon, Sergeant Gordon, Johnstone, Hogan. Of these nine were men belonging to the A.C. force and six wore civilians. I particularly noticed tho play of Messrs Mclntosh, Day, Kelly, Cl-wnr, Parker, Miller, Ser-

I geant Gordon, and Jonnstuno, <.tll of whom proved themselves to be men very dangerous to the peace cf mind and body of tJio enemy. Molntosh, especially displayed .some brilliiut pl.iy. For Hamilton — Fourteen men appeared to do battle, viz., Messrs A. Cox, E. Cox, F. Pilling, Fred. Pilling, C. C. Wood, Simpson, Barker, N. Hunt, F. Whitaker, A. Whitiiker, Sandcs, Cus,en, Aicken, and Coleman. Of these I must givo the p.dm to Messrs E. Cox, Frank Pilling, C. C. Wood, Barker, N. Hunt, and Cussen. Another little 'un played up well, but I could not exactly catch his name, so am compelled to omit mention of it. E. Cox was was as usual " all there," and made some brilliant runs. He met with an unfortunate accident — a severe cut on the foot, which gave him a good opportunity of showing his great pluck, for ho finished the game as strongly and well as he had begun it, although the blood was trickling out of his boot. Some of the Cambridge men and three of the Hamiltonians came from other parts of the country to do battle for their respective sides. In the evening a splendid spread was provided for the entertainment of the strangers (Major Drummond Hay in the chair) and the late opponents hob-nobbed together, fought their battles o'er again, and agreed to wash out any little difference in copious draughts of generous wine. The various loyal toasts were drunk, and the revellers dispersed at about 10 o'clock p.m. I hear it is the intention of the Hamiltonians to invite the Cantabs to their district for the purpose of giving them some return for their hospitality, and having another tussle for victory. The game was virtually a drawn one, although there is some doubt as to whether the leaving the field during the shower does not give the victory technically to Cambridge. One touch-down each was scored. I should like to see some competent opinion on the matter.